Cyberpunk 2077: V

Chapter 35: Breakfast at Misty's

Three cards.

V sat bolt upright, dazed and confused before realizing the wailing sound she heard was her alarm. She reached over to the e-clock in her bednook and smacked the damn thing to shut it up. 

She had another weird dream, but she couldn't remember anything about it other than three tarot cards sitting on a table. V shut her eyes and focused, screwing her eyebrows together in effort to try and recall what the cards were or what the context of the dream was. When all she got was a blank, V sighed heavily and got out of bed. Her new necklace slid across her breast to sit cold against her sternum.

 It seemed the moonstone Misty gave V was working, maybe blocking the dreams or something. Either way, V felt like she barely got any sleep - like she just blinked and suddenly she was up and attem again. It was going to be a looooong day.

Jackie texted her the java orders for their breakfast and threw in some good-natured poking about her gig with Regina as well.

I think she liiiiiIIIIIiiiiikes you - she got a thing for nomad ninjas? Even Wako doesn't give us gigs that often. I think you got'a secret admirer, chica ;)

Not much of a secret if I know who it is, Jackster - btw did Vik want synth-creme?

The java shop V usually swung by, SynAPSE Coffee, was a couple doors down from the little NCPD precinct outside her apartment building. Having it there made a lot of biz-sense, and it was also one of the safest places to get established since badge iron was hanging around 24/7. The line was moving pretty quick when V got there, having just missed the morning rush. She still had to wait awhile for Misty's order unfortunately due to one of the machines malfunctioning, and by the time she finally got the frappe and tucked it into the to-go carry box, she was running late. V gave the box one last quick swish to make sure the drinks were secure, then hurried towards the door. Another text from Jackie popped up.

Come'on chica, I'm starvin' and Misty says we can't start eatin' till you get here. Chop chop! You don't want me t'waste away do ya??! :'(

V rolled her eyes and quickened her pace, reaching out a hand to push open the door while she pulled up her text HUD to reply.

Movin' as fast as I can Jackster - the gonk frap machine was on the fri-

V let out a startled yelp as her upper body crashed into someone else's. She stumbled back, saving her precious cargo, and was about to belt out a hasty apology and run when she saw who it was.

James Norton.

He'd stepped back as well, his hat askew and annoyance in his eyes replaced by recognition when he saw V.

"You blind, huh? Watch where you're goin' sister," a deep voice growled.

V looked over the Norton's left and saw a short, slightly chubby man with a bad combover glaring at her. Another badge. Before V could speak, Norton stepped towards her to look at his companion.

"Easy Peters, play nice. This is the woman I was telling you about - the one who saved my ass the other day."

Peters, Norton's partner V remembered, blinked a couple of times in surprise, then ran his watery grey eyes up and down V as if sizing her up. Not knowing what else to do, V gave an awkward wave.

"Hi-ya, name's V."

Peter's sniffed, then nodded to her, the glare softening into tepid acceptance.

"Officer Don Peters. So you're this mysterious V, huh? Hmm...not what I expected."

V blinked, not knowing how to reply to that. Peters put his hands on his utility belt and adjusted himself, then started walking towards the door.

"Guess I should thank you for getting' my stupid-ass partner here out of trouble. Let's not make it a habit, okay J?"